At the beginning of their second missionary journey, Paul and Silas appear to have one plan, but God radically intervenes to change it. Phrygia, Galatia, and Bithynia (all culturally Greek regions of Anatolia, modern-day Turkey) are barred to them—instead, Paul receives a vision to cross over into Macedonia, carrying the Gospel into the hostile Roman…
Henry Haffner
Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods.
—Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics, Bk. VIII
This morning’s sermon text from Acts mentions the rift between Paul and Barnabas. Recounted in just a single verse (“there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other,” Acts 15:39), this brief description…
This morning’s sermon text from Acts presents the conclusion of the Jerusalem council and the beginning of Paul’s second missionary journey. Having settled a major theological dispute for the time being, we once again find the church at work spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth. This theme runs throughout today’s service. The…
We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. —Acts 15:11
This morning’s service can really be encapsulated by the Martin Luther quote that you’ll find in the inside cover of the bulletin: “Nothing can take away sin except the grace of God.” Just like…
After a summer series looking at Psalms 24-33, this morning Pastor Jamie will resume preaching through the book of Acts. Acts 14 recounts the travels of Paul and Barnabas through several cities in Asia Minor, where they preach the Gospel, make disciples, and face persecution from both Pagans and Jews. Many of the hymns we…
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, who, like me, His praise should sing?
—Henry Francis Lyte
When we become aware of the enormity of God’s greatness—His holiness, His creative power, His faithfulness to rescue His people from troubles and forgive their sins—how are we to respond? Throughout the Scriptures (and throughout this morning’s service)…
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9
This morning’s service focuses on the terrible reality of our own sinfulness and the incredible faithfulness of our Savior to forgive. The Call to Worship from Psalm 85 declares…
refuge noun
shelter or protection from danger or distress.
a place that provides shelter or protection.
something to which one has recourse in difficulty
(“refuge.” Merriam-Webster.com, Merriam-Webster, 2025.)
As you read, listen, and sing through the worship service this morning, notice how many times the word “refuge” occurs, and…
The Book of Psalms for Worship, published in 2009 by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), has provided several of the psalm settings we’ve used for this summer’s series. It’s the source of O Lord Teach Me To Follow You—Psalm 27, which this congregation has sung for many years, along with favorites like…
Unlike the previous psalms in this series, which present conflicting emotions and difficult situations, Psalm 29 is fairly straightforward. In this psalm, David describes God’s majesty and power, particularly the awesome creative power of His voice. The psalms and hymns that we sing in this morning’s service follow along the same path. We’ll declare that…